MotoGP star heads up Hunter's honours list

One of the world's most famous motorcyclists is among the more than a dozen people from the Hunter receiving Queen's Birthday honours today.

Former Kurri Kurri boy, Casey Stoner was just 21-years-old when he won his first motorcycling world championship.

Today is another day of recognition, as he receives the Member of the Order of Australia.

His father, Colin Stoner, could not be prouder.

"It's obviously a great honour and means a hell of a lot to Casey to be recognised in this way," he said.

He says living in the Hunter helped nurture his son's sporting talents.

"We actually moved to the Hunter exactly for that because you know, that's where the best competition was.

"It's certainly the place to be if you want to pursue a motorcycling career.

"I think the whole thing was really a highlight for us, we've certainly had a great adventure along the way and you know, winning the world championship in 2007 and again in 2011 was certainly the highlights of his career so far."

A posthumous honour has been awarded to the late Bill Turner, a man synonymous with school soccer in the Hunter region.

His Order of Australia Medal recognises his work with Hunter school football competitions.

He passed away in February this year, but his legacy lives on in the Bill Turner Cup and Bill Turner trophy competitions.

After a lifetime of working in agricultural education and conservation, the principal of Tocal College Dr Cameron Archer says the honour of receiving the Member of the Order of Australia is not his alone.

"I see it as something that we've all achieved rather than just me," he said.

"So it's quite humbling to be the person receiving the award but I feel I'm doing it for everyone."

Professor Nikolai Bogduk from the University of Newcastle, who is receiving the AM for his services to medical research and education, feels the same way.

"Most importantly, I think in this particular context, is the number of people who have helped me in conducting the various studies that we've completed," he said.

Professor Bogduk's research has centred on the causes and treatment of severe spinal pain.

"We worked in a field that is relatively a Cinderella field.

"It was not popular, it was not sexy in any way and it was not established like immunology and cancer research, which had big units and lots of people.

"We had to start on our own."

Other OAM recipients from the Hunter include Wendy Bowman for environmental work in the Upper Hunter and the Founder and music director of Hunter Singers Kim Sutherland.

Ms Sutherland is being recognised for her contribution to the arts and says she was completely taken aback by the honour.

"It was a complete surprise," she said.

"So when a complete surprise like that comes out of the blue you get a bit of a shock I suppose.

"So, I was shocked and then I felt very humbled and I couldn't see that I was worthy of such an honour actually."